Following a series of complaints filed by citizens and environmental groups, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) partially suspended construction work on a state police station, which Oaxaca authorities planned to build on 22,797 square meters of low deciduous forest in the Punta Colorada reserve, located on the coast of Oaxaca.
In a statement, the agency reported that the inspection operation was carried out in response to 80 complaints filed by citizens in recent hours at the Oaxaca office. “During the inspection, the person who assisted them did not present the Environmental Impact Authorization issued by Semarnat, which is required for the removal of vegetation and the execution of works and activities on forest lands. Therefore, a closure was imposed and an administrative procedure was opened,” Profepa reported.
Last week, the collective Save Colorada warned: “Two months ago, authorities promised to protect Punta Colorada, and yet, in the face of the imminent ecocide of Punta Colorada, our very own authorities, who through the injunction we filed are prohibited from issuing construction permits on the property and who are also required to care for and preserve Punta Colorada, remain silent and indifferent.”
Locals and collectives marched on the 20th, claiming that the closure of Profepa should be permanent, because Punta Colorada is an ecologically important nesting site for leatherback turtles. The area is facing conservation efforts against a tourism development plan that the community is seeking to halt.
Source: educaoaxaca
